by Dan Rudt
Hundreds Arrested at White House Tar Sands Action
On Saturday, August 20, a young woman from Wasilla, AK was the first person arrested at the Tar Sands Action protest in front of the White House. By Sunday August 28, the number of arrests was 381. The protesters are asking President Obama to deny approval of the 1,700 mile Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline, if the President approves it, would transport 900,000 barrels per day of oil from the tar sands of Canada to refineries at the Gulf of Mexico. It would cross water aquifers and rivers, posing a risk to drinking water and groundwater used for irrigation throughout the Plains states. Mining oil from tar sands creates three times more carbon emissions than conventional oil extraction, so it also would speed up climate change. Protesters include citizens of the states in the pipeline’s path, Native Americans whose tribal lands would be directly impacted, and environmental activists from the DC area and around the country. The protests are scheduled to last through September 3. More information here and here.
Maryland Farmers Participate in State Cover Crop Program in Record Numbers
Governor O’Malley announced earlier this month that Maryland has approved a record 550,000 acres of winter grains to date in the Cover Crop Program. A record 1,767 farmers participated – 206 of whom were new to the program this year. This record acreage represents 155% of the Phase I Watershed Implementation Plan goals for cover crops.
Cover crops are one of the most cost-effective means of helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay. The crops are planted in the fall after the autumn harvest to help farmers control soil erosion and reduce the amount of nutrients washing into the bay over the winter. Maryland’s Cover Crop Program provides farmers with grants to plant cover crops on their fields.
An impressive 81% of eligible farmland in Montgomery County was enrolled in the program this year.
Parents and Teachers, This is for You: America’s Home Energy Education Challenge
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the National Science Teachers Association, the America’s Home Energy Education Challenge is a nationwide student contest (for grades 3-8) designed to educate children about energy and the benefits of energy efficiency. Parents can find out more and schools may register to participate here.
Howard County Pilot Program to Recycle Food Scraps
The Baltimore Sun reports Howard County will conduct a pilot program in September in Elkridge and Ellicott City in which residents will be asked to recycle their food scraps. The Sun says the food scraps will be picked up in 35-gallon containers provided by the county, and will be delivered to Recycled Green in Woodbine, for composting. Officials hope to go countywide with the program by 2012.
Three Maryland Renewable Energy Firms on List of Fastest Growing U.S. Companies
According to the Baltimore Business Journal, seventeen Maryland companies made the Inc. Magazine 2011 list of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies. Of those seventeen, three are renewable energy companies. In order of growth they are Greenspring Energy of Timonium, and Standard Solar and Clean Currents, both based in Rockville.
Upcoming Green Events
A Special Bethesda Green Happy Hour with Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Thursday, September 8, 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Food Wine & Co., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. Come learn about Maryland’s greatest renewable energy resource: offshore wind power. And learn what you can do to make it a reality. RSVP.
- Hear from CCAN Director Mike Tidwell about efforts to build offshore wind farms and bring good jobs and clean power to Maryland.
- Enjoy complimentary appetizers courtesy of Food Wine & Co.
- Raffle for restaurant gift card
- Donation: $10
Fertile Ground: Local Sustainable Farm Tour and Lunch, Saturday, September 10, 12:30 – 3:00 pm. Rocklands Farm, 14525 Montevideo Rd., Poolesville, MD 20837. This is the second in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals. You’ve read about it in Omnivore’s Dilemma, now experience what sustainable farming is all about. Greg Glen and Shawn Eubank of Rocklands Farm proudly show you their chicken mobiles, grass-fed beef, and organic vegetable operations. Lunch at the farm prior to the tour. Complimentary bus transportation leaving Bethesda Green promptly at 11:30 am and expected to return by 4 pm. Please send a note to food@bethesdagreen.org if you’re interested in bus transportation. More information here.
Chesapeake Bay Cleanup Activity in Germantown, Sunday, September 11, 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Volunteer to help Button Farm Living History Center reduce their pollution runoff by installing Aquabarrel rain barrels that collect rain water and help reduce debris, chemicals and other pollutants that enter our streams and rivers. Button Farm sits on a bluff overlooking Great Seneca Creek – that feeds into the Potomac River. More information and registration here.
Sustainability: Definitions and Implementation, Montgomery County Civic Federation meeting, Monday, September 12, 7:45 pm. County Council Building – 1st Floor Auditorium, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. Speakers: Jennifer Bitting, Environmental Engineer, Dept. of Homeland Security; Doug Weisburger, Sustainability Programs, Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection; Eric Coffman, Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection, Councilmember Roger Berliner, Chair, County Council Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment. More information.
Savor Local Flavor: Four Course Dinner and Discussion with Chef Tony, Monday, September 19, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Chef Tony’s, 4926 St. Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. This is the third in the series On the Farm; Around the Table, connecting farmers, food and community in three meals. More information here.
U.S. Dep’t. of Energy Solar Decathlon, Friday, September 23 – Sunday, October 2, West Potomac Park, National Mall, Washington, D.C. Competing collegiate teams (including University of Maryland) exhibit cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive solar-powered houses designed, built and operated by the students. This free event includes tours of the solar homes, consumer workshops and award ceremonies for the winning teams.
20th Annual Tour des Trees, Sunday, October 2 – Saturday, October 8. The seven day, 500 mile ride takes participants from Virginia Beach through Williamsburg, Richmond, Charlottsville, along the Shenandoahs and over to Harper’s Ferry before winding back down the shores of the Potomac to DC and the National Arboretum. The annual ride raises funds for tree research and scholarships.
2011 Bethesda Green Gala, Wednesday, October 5, 6:00 – 10:00 pm, Round House Theatre. The gala recognizes Bethesda Magazine’s Green Award winners for their inspiring work in the environmental community. Mark your calendar now. More information here.
